The difference is in how carefully the work is done
Watch servicing is common. Watch servicing done with patience, transparency, and skill is considerably rarer. Here's what that looks like in practice.
Back to HomeWhat you can expect from Geartide
Experienced hands
The team brings over fifteen years of combined work with mechanical and quartz movements, drawing on formal training and daily bench experience.
Written assessment, always
Every watch receives a written condition note before any work starts. You see exactly what's proposed and at what cost, with no obligation to proceed.
No work without agreement
If something unexpected appears mid-service, work stops until you've been informed. Nothing additional proceeds without a clear go-ahead from you.
Transparent, tiered pricing
Three service tiers with published starting prices. Costs are discussed openly from the first enquiry — no hidden charges, no surprises at collection.
Original character respected
Polishing and refinishing is done with a light touch. The watch's original lines, brushing, and patina are preserved wherever the service allows.
Accessible throughout
You can reach the workshop by phone or email at any stage. Questions are answered personally — not by an automated reply or a junior member of staff.
Skills built over years at the bench
Watchmaking knowledge is not acquired quickly. Reading a movement's condition, diagnosing irregular timekeeping, sourcing an obscure component for a 1970s calibre — these require the kind of practical experience that only comes with time.
The Geartide team holds formal training in mechanical servicing and has handled a wide range of calibres from Swiss, Japanese, and domestic Thai movements. Legacy pieces and vintage calibres are a particular area of interest.
- Mechanical & quartz movement servicing
- Vintage and legacy calibre experience
- Trained case finishing specialist on the team
Formal horological training
Technical training in mechanical movement servicing, with supplementary study in case finishing and restoration methodology.
Calibrated equipment
Timing machines, pressure testers, and regulated cleaning solutions — all maintained to current servicing standards.
Reference library
Workshop access to technical manuals covering hundreds of calibres — used actively, not just for show.
The Geartide service process
- 01.
Initial contact. You describe the watch and what you've noticed. We respond within one business day with initial thoughts and, if appropriate, arrange a drop-off.
- 02.
Written assessment. A condition note is produced at no charge. You receive it before any decision is needed.
- 03.
Service begins. Once you approve the scope, work starts. Updates are sent if anything changes.
- 04.
Collection. The watch is returned with a brief service record noting what was done and the post-service timing results.
A straightforward path from first contact to collection
The service process at Geartide is designed to keep you informed without overwhelming you with technical detail. You'll know what's happening, what it costs, and when to expect your watch back — at each stage.
Honest pricing for careful work
The three service tiers reflect the scope of work involved, not an arbitrary price structure. An Everyday Service starts at ฿3,800. A Surface & Seal Refresh from ฿16,000. A Legacy Overhaul from ฿34,000. Prices are discussed openly from the first conversation.
A watch serviced carefully, on the appropriate cycle, holds its function and value considerably longer than one left unattended or rushed through a cheaper service. We're happy to discuss what the right interval looks like for your specific piece.
What's included in every service
- Written condition assessment before work begins
- Direct communication with the watchmaker
- Post-service timing result note
- No work added without prior agreement
- Careful, padded storage during the service period
Geartide vs. typical watch service providers
| Feature | Typical Providers | Geartide |
|---|---|---|
| Written condition note before work | Rarely | Always |
| Pricing discussed before any work | Sometimes | Yes |
| Unexpected additions require approval | Not always | Required |
| Direct contact with the watchmaker | Usually not | Yes |
| Post-service timing result provided | Uncommon | Standard |
| Restraint in refinishing (original finish preserved) | Varies | Prioritised |
Things Geartide does that most workshops don't
Pre-work assessment window
For Legacy Overhauls, we offer a staged pre-work assessment window — time allocated before the restoration begins for you to ask questions, review findings, and consider your options without pressure.
Staged documentation for restorations
Legacy Overhauls include documented progress notes at key stages of the work. For inherited or historically significant pieces, this record forms part of the watch's ongoing history.
Plain-language condition notes
Condition notes are written in straightforward English, not technical jargon. You'll understand what's being proposed and why — without needing a background in horology.
No-charge initial assessment
The initial condition check costs nothing. If you decide not to proceed after reviewing the note, the watch is returned to you at no charge. No financial pressure to say yes.
A few numbers worth mentioning
15+
Years of combined horological experience
800+
Timepieces serviced since opening
3
Distinct service tiers with published pricing
100%
Assessment notes written before work begins
Chiang Mai Craft Trader Recognition
May 2025
Acknowledged by the Chang Klan district traders' association for consistent, quality-focused trade practice.
ETA Technical Service Training
Completed 2022
Lead watchmaker holds formal ETA-aligned movement servicing certification, covering calibres across the Swiss lever escapement family.
Thailand Horology Society
Member since 2020
Active member of the Thailand Horology Society, participating in annual technical exchange programmes with practitioners across the region.
See what careful servicing looks like for your watch
The initial assessment is at no charge. Get in touch and we'll take it from there, at whatever pace suits you.
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